Spool adapter for rope layers or stranding machines



M; M KosKY Oct. 26, 1948.

- SPOOL ADAPTER FOR ROPE LAYERS OR STRANDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 29,1946 A 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Mic/Mel M KOg/gl "ms nrramvsy M. MKOSKY SPOOL ADAPTER FOR ROPE LAYERS OR STRANDING MACHINES .Filed Nov.29, 1946 3-Sheet-Sheet 2 I l IN VEN TOR. N/cfiae/ M 1 1 0w H/s Afro/ME)Oct. 26, 1948. M. Mc osKY 2,452,255

SPOOL ADAPTER FOR ROPE LAYERS OR STRANPING Filed-Nov. 29, 1946 3Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

I M/cbd NCKOLAJ BY A M Patented Oct. '26, 1948 SPQOL 'ABAPTER FOR RGPELAYERS R STRAN'DING MACHINES Michael McKosky,- New Haven, Conn.

Application November 29, 1946, Serial No. 713,949

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to specific features of construction andarrangement of an adapter designedly intended to fit into holes orcentral apertures of bobbins or spools of different-sizes so as toenable the use of different size supply spools or bobbins in cradles ofa stranding machine or layer of a given standard size or type. The aboveand other more detailed features of the invention will be iully apparentfrom consideration of the following detailed disclosures and theappended claims when read in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:

Figure l is a longitudinal section through an adapter showing apreferred construction of the invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are elevations of the two chief component par-ts of theadapter.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the flier of arope-laying or stranding mach-inc of the type in'which the adapter ofthe present invention is Well suited for use. 1

Figure "5 is an enlarged plan view showing one *of the cradles of thestranding machine or rope layer detached from the flier and illustratingthe mounting therein of an adapter embodying the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary plan of a rope stranding machine or layershowing a bobbin supporting cradle therein mounting a relatively largediameter spool or bobbin.

Figure 8 is a view of the same flier and cradle shown in Figure '7illustrating the use of the adapter of the present invention forsupporting a relatively smaller bobbin or supply reel.

It is Well known to those skilled in the art that stranding machines orrope layers frequently employ a rotatably mounted flier such asindicated at H) in Figure 4, carrying a plurality of spiderlike bracketsl2, which rotatably support a plurality of cradles l4 having respectivetrunnion portions 16 engaging suitable bearings carried by the spidersl2.

Each cradle I4 is usually provided with an open top recess l8 forming aseat for rotatably supporting a respective supply spool or bobbin suchas indicated at 20. Heretofore the cradles M have beendesigned t0 fitonly a given sized bobbin. Under the present invention I provide anadapter which makes it possible to use spools or bobbins of diiierentsizes in any given cradle.

My improved adapter is shown in longitudinal section in assembledposition in Figure 1 for en- I2 gagement with a spool, and the componentPants thereof are shown detail in Figures 2 and 3 The adapter consistsessentially of two lcon ple mentary main elements, A and B, the lelementA having a flange 22 and a substantiallycylindrica seat portion 24adapted to make a snug fit-with the central opening 25 of the spool orbobbin .20. Similarly, the element B is provided with a iiange 22b and aseat portion 24b to fit the -.opening 25 in the spool or bobbin. Acentral hub 25 extends inwardly from the flange 22 of the memberA, andis formed with internal screw threads 28, .tor adjustable engagementwith external threads 30 formed on an inwardly extending portion .32formed on the .member B. The member Airpcludes a trunnion .34, which isflanged at .36, this trunnion portion being adaptedto be received in oneof the recesses Iii formed inthe cradle. The member B isformedwithasimilar trunnion portion 34b and flange .3612, and thislatter trunnion portion is also adapted to .be fitted in the recess 18of the cradle .as clearly indicated in the plan in Figure .5. It will beunderstood that the-diameter of portions 24 .and 24b may be varied tosuit the central apertures of different size spools .or

bobbins, and it is also apparent that the flanges 36 and 36b serve tokeep the adapter from slipping endwise in the cradle. The adapter willusually be equipped with a sheave-like tension control member 38 aroundwhich will be reeved a flexible cord or cable 40 which will be anchoredat 42 to a suitable lug 44 formed on the cradle. The opposite end of thecord may connect with a spring or weight not shown so as to apply theusual tension for controlling the pay-01f of stranding wire from thespool or bobbin.

' In normal use, the two parts A and B will be screwed together firmlyso that the flanges 22 and 22b thereof press firmly against the spooland grip it tightly. The construction and arrangement illustrated anddescribed is such that the weight will be properly distributed in thedevice so that when assembled with the spool and placed in the cradle,the position of the cradle will remain horizontal in the trunnions ofthe layer while the flier rotates. The pay-off of wire from the spoolsor bobbins is such that as the wire is pulled from the spool it willtend to tighten the threaded coupling formed by the engaging threads 28and 30 of the two component parts A and B of the adapter.

By utilization of the herein described invention, it is possible andpracticable to use spools of variable dimensions in cradles of standardor uniform dimensions. One outstanding advantage of the adapter is thatit can be fitted to spools prior to their insertion in the cradle of thestranding machine, thus the spools can be made ready for loading whilethe machine is actually running. The construction of the adapterillustrated is deemed to be advantageous since it can be placed in acradle in such a position that as the wire or other stranding materialpays off, the tension groove and cord tends to tighten the parts.Inasmuch as in many wire drawing operations the wire is drawn directlyto a spool, the adapter of the present invention efi'ects a considerablemonetary saving because respooling for use in various types of machinesis reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the use of the described adapterreduces the amount of handling and processing of the wire required, thenumber of wire joints used, and therefore, the quality of the finishedcable or rope-like product is materially improved.

While I have described quite precisely a construction and arrangement ofan adapter which an actual reduction to practice has demonstrated isvery practicaL-it is to be understood that various modifications andsubstitutions of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I' claim:

1. In a stranding machine of the type having a rotary flier with aplurality of cradles trunnioned therein, the improvement comprising anadapter for rotatably supporting spools or varying sizes in a givencradle, said adapter including coacting members each having a trunnionportion rotatably supported in the cradle, a respective spool engagingflange on each member and a joint for coupling said members to oneanother, with provision for varying the distance between said flanges soas to accommodate and firmly grip spools of varying axial lengths.

2. In a stranding machine of the type having a rotary flier with a,plurality of pivotally mounted cradles, the improvement comprising anadapter for rotatably supporting spools of varying sizes in any one ofsaid cradles, said adapter including 4 coacting members each having atrunnion portion rotatably supported in the cradle, a respective spoolengaging flange on each member and a joint for coupling said members toone another, comprising respective internally and externally threadedportions at the inner extremities of said members adapted to vary thedistance between said flanges when said members are screwed together soas to accommodate and firmly grip spools of varying axial lengths.

3. In an adapter for stranding machines, a pair of spool engagingmembers, each comprising an elongated hub, a, circular flangeintermediate the length of said hub'and integral therewith and having acircumferential seat, and a trunnion at an end of said hub and integraltherewith, the hub of one of said members having an internally threadedbore at the end opposite its trunnion, the hub of the other of saidmembers having an externally threaded section at the end opposite itstrunnion complementary to and engageably with said internally threadedbore for adiustably coupling said members, the seats on said flangesbeing adapted to fit within opposite ends of a spool to grip androtatably support the spool on said trunnions, the longitudinal spacingbetween said flanges being variable on adjustment or the distance ofcoupling engagement of the threaded sections to accommodate spools ofvarying lengths the spool remaining longitudinally centered between thetrunnions.

MICHAEL McKOSKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 455,453 Pendleton, Jr July 7,1891 1,949,378 Roehm Feb. 27, 1934 2,004,634 Petterson June 11, 19352,007,705 Briigger July 9, 1935 2,304,922 Hosfield Dec. 15, 1942

